Mitie Workers Secure 4% Pay Rise
Unite says Mitie Defence Gibraltar workers have secured a 4% pay rise for the first year of a new two-year agreement, following negotiations after members rejected the company’s original 3% offer.
A statement from Unite the Union follows below:
Unite the Union and Mitie have reached a two-year pay agreement following the threat of strike action after Unite members overwhelmingly rejected the company’s final pay offer.
The agreement was reached today following further negotiations between Unite and Mitie, after members voted yesterday to reject the company’s final offer of 3%.
Under the new two-year agreement, Unite has secured the membership’s mandated 4% pay increase for Year One.
For Year Two, members have accepted an inflation-linked pay increase. Importantly, there will be no cap on the inflationary increase, meaning that if inflation were to reach, for example, 6%, the full 6% increase would be applied across the board.
In addition to the pay agreement, Unite and Mitie have also held constructive discussions regarding the deterioration in industrial relations and communication issues raised by the Unite.
Both sides have agreed on a new working formula designed to improve communication and strengthen the relationship between the Union and the company. This will include monthly meetings with local management, alongside improved lines of communication and engagement with Mitie’s UK-based management.
Unite’s Christian Duo said:
“I am absolutely delighted with the result achieved for our members, but more importantly, I am extremely proud of the support Unite has received from our membership throughout this dispute.
“On both ballots, around 90% of our members supported Unite’s recommendations. That demonstrates the strength of feeling among our members and the confidence they have placed in their negotiating committee.
“We went into these negotiations with a clear mandate from our members for a 4% increase, and I am pleased that we have been able to achieve that mandate for Year One, together with an uncapped inflation-linked increase for Year Two.
“I would also like to thank Mitie for coming back to the negotiating table and recognising that both sides need to work on the relationship issues we have raised. The agreement to meet monthly with local management and improve communication with UK management provides us with a positive framework to rebuild the relationship going forward.
“Finally, I would like to place on record my sincere thanks to our Shop Stewards’ Committee for the outstanding work they have carried out throughout these negotiations and for the continued support they have given me since the commencement of the Global Agreement, ISP and OPC contracts back in November 2007.
“This has been a significant collective effort, and today’s agreement demonstrates what can be achieved when Unite members stand together behind a clear mandate and I hope it also marks the beginning of a much stronger and more constructive relationship between Unite and Mitie.”
